The popularity of Chinese porcelain in Europe led Dutch and English manufacturers to imitate it by making blue and white TIN-GLAZED EARTHENWARE. They had not yet discovered the formula for porcelain production.

The design of the bowl unites images of tools of the English barber's trade (such as scissors, a razor and a comb) with bird and flower MOTIFS adapted from Chinese porcelain.

The shallow bowl with a semicircular opening
in its broad rim proved an essential barber's tool when held closely
against the neck of a man being shaved. When not in use, it hung on the
wall as a decoration.